Let’s just be clear here, this – alongside the Season One finale – is what Fear the Walking Dead needs more of. “Blood in the Streets” was a step in the right direction for the series, which has, for the overwhelming majority, come across as a struggling, stagnant drama that would rely excessively on the slow-burn which worked (at times) on The Walking Dead. Yes, these characters do need time to grow and adapt to the world, but something drastic needs to happen, and this week we got to see the beginnings of that something, breaking up the first three episodes of relative calm on the seas.
As it turns out that douche that Alicia was stupidly empathising with via radio in the season 2 premiere has brought some friends with him, and their intentions aren’t exactly nice. Soon after they board, Strand makes the (at the time) wise decision to abandon ship without anyone knowing, while the rest (bar Nick who has been sent on a risky and inexplicably secret mission) are tied up and gagged. The other end of this situation hopefully leads to a tighter resolve between all members of the group – which will have the secondary benefit of them ceasing their frustrating lack of communication – and watching them work together to subtly take back the ship was promising.
Having Strand essentially knocked out of the episode and half-drowning in the water in distress gave us time to delve into his backstory by way of flashbacks, sketching some of the more mysterious things about him like where he got his wealth, why he wants to go to Mexico and how the hell he ended up with such a nice yacht (and why it’s name is Abigail). The backstory worked and it worked well, chunky enough to give us time with a more desperate, sensitive, and cunning Victor Strand while he became romantically involved with Dougray Scott’s wealthy Thomas Abigail. There are now many more shades to Strand, reiterating him as a fan favourite alongside the winner of “most improved”: Nick.
Nick’s mission to recruit Strand’s man Louis was a bit ridiculous but made for some really great scenes, particularly the cold opening of a fearless Nick smartly trapping an infected and smearing himself in zombie blood. Having him cleverly use this tactic so soon after he first discovered it strengthens his presence and kind of throws a bit of egg back to critics (including yours truly) who lambasted the show for continually writing in ridiculously idiotic decisions for these characters when many viewers are still uncertain about them.
Nick and Louis being the ones to save the day in the end did feel like a bit of a let down. Would it not have been a more effective angle to have those on board (Daniel and Madison especially) deal with the situation themselves? Either way, we ended with a promising problem at hand: Travis and Alicia have been taken off-board by a man who seems like he could be the season’s big-bad; Strand has been rescued by Madison and so the conflict between them may simmer down; and the boat now has a character (Louis) who can shed more light on where this season is heading (Mexico, I assume) and why.
Things are finally looking good for FTWD; let’s hope they continue that next week.
Review Score: FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights
- The group working together
- Strand’s back story
- Nick’s mission
- Travis stalling
Lowlights:
- Nick and Louis arriving felt like a deus ex machina
- Jack and Reed were poor characters despite introducing some necessary antagonism
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